1 - If UCLA is to improve their record by at least a couple games, what will have to happen? And if the record is similar, what do you think will have gone wrong?
Having competent coaching should get the Bruins to five wins at a minimum this season. UCLA’s roster has a bunch of experienced players (although a good amount of that experience isn’t at the Big Ten level). That should also lead to an improved record. If the team’s record is similar to last season, that will most likely mean the offensive line will struggle, the team’s quarterback play won’t be as good as expected and the Bruins will have trouble stopping the run. Of course, injuries will play a role in the team’s strengths, weaknesses and record as well.
2 - What are some of the areas where the offense has improved over last season? What are some of the question marks and who are some of the most impactful players?
UCLA’s offensive line was a trainwreck last season. This year’s unit (which only features one starter from last year) projects to be better, but the million dollar question is how much better? The Bruins added a 1,000-yard rusher in Wayne Knight in the backfield and have a much more dynamic receiving corps compared to last season. I’m not too worried about the skill positions.
I have questions about the offensive tackles (Jordan Davis at left and Hall Schmidt at right). Both are coming from lower level conferences and the depth behind them isn’t great. I also have questions about Nico Iamaleava’s ability to connect on passes deep down the field.
The four previously listed players will all be impact guys. So will running back Anthony Woods, center Riley Robell and wide receivers Brian Rowe and Landon Ellis.
3 - What are some of the ways the defense has improved over last year? What are some of the question marks and who are some of the most impactful players?
UCLA was one of the worst defenses in the country when it came to pressuring the quarterback last season. The additions of edge rusher Sahir West and linebacker Sammy Omosigho from the transfer portal should boost the team’s pass rush. Really all three levels should be better for the Bruins this season except for maybe the interior defensive line. Landing cornerback Derrick Barksdale and safety Tao Johnson from the portal gives the Bruins two more high-level experienced players in the back end to go along with the returning talent.
I think the secondary will be the strength of the defense. There is a lot of skill and experience in that group. Cornerback Rodrick Pleasant and nickel Cole Martin are two other names to know. Landing linebacker Trent Hendrick late this summer should help UCLA to defend the run. Stopping the run was more of a concern for me before Hendrick came on board.
My biggest questions revolve around the defensive line. Outside of West, who can get consistent pressure? And is the interior of the defensive line going to be good enough? On paper, that group is average at best.
4 - What are your impressions of Cal in 2026? What are you expecting to see with how the two evolving programs under new staffs perform against each other?
It’s hard to have firm impressions of Cal based on everything in the program being so new. I think the Bears have the edge at quarterback over UCLA, and I also like the skill players for Cal. Is the offensive line going to be any good though? It seems like a lot will have to go right for that to happen.
Defensively, I have even more questions. Does Cal have an elite pass rusher? Will Jericho Johnson be as good as people are expecting? What constitutes a good season for the young linebackers? Who are the players in the back end opposing offensive coordinators will fear outside of Ricky Fletcher?
Tosh Lupoi being a defensive coach should give that unit a boost. But the inexperience across the board defensively would concern me if I was a Cal fan. Inexperience doesn’t mean that unit will stink of course. I would just feel better about it if more players had established track records.
UCLA’s offense consists of a lot of short passes around the line of scrimmage and run/pass optionality. Whether the Bruins can connect on explosive pass plays down the field will go a long way to determining the outcome of the game. On the other side, I expect UCLA to be very aggressive on defense and stress the Cal offensive line.
5 - What do you expect UCLA's final regular season record to be and why and what's your score prediction for this game?
I think UCLA will be 7-5 this season. I think the defense has a chance to be pretty good, but I have questions about the Bruins’ offensive line and passing game. UCLA is going to go all in in Week 1 with the stakes being so high. I have the Bruins winning 27-24.
